ASTON’S second assault happened on the same day but details cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.

Magistrates heard he breached his bail by failing to report to Bridgend Police Station. Chris White, defending, said he had gone to the station early then headed to the Princess of Wales Hospital looking for anger management help.

He said Aston had drug issues and began injecting amphetamine at 11, but had made considerable progress in getting off drugs and cut his heroin intake to a bag every two or three weeks.

He said: “He accepts the hamster cage was kicked over. It was done in recklessness.”

Aston was given a two-year community order with supervision and must undertake a domestic violence programme. A two-year restraining order restricts contact with Elizabeth Machon. He must pay her £100 compensation, plus £85 costs.